We’re really happy with how they’ve turned out, and Sherry is about to explode from waiting to fill them in (I’m making her wait until we’ve finished all of our final caulking and paint touch-ups along with the rest of the room’s crown – I know, THE NERVE). But let me show you how we got to this stage, because the tops took a bit more planning than the bases did since I was building them from scratch.

We decided to build from scratch since we couldn’t find any pre-existing bookcases that would fit in that space. We went with plywood for the material – specifically, this PureBond eco plywood from Home Depot, which is formaldehyde-free (along with chunky wood trim pieces to beef up the sides and the shelf fronts). A 4ft x 8ft panel of that eco plywood is $47 so I figured out ahead of time how to get the most out of one piece. I still had to buy another 2′ x 4′ piece to get my last two shelves, but otherwise I was pretty proud of figuring out this puzzle.

I got all of these pieces cut down in the store, which made life much easier – especially since their big saw locks in place, so I had more confidence that my pieces would be consistent widths. Luckily the Home Depot guy was having a slow day so he was happy to oblige. They were small enough to fit in my car by this point, but since I was also buying a bunch of long pieces of crown molding for the rest of the room, I went ahead and rented their truck to get everything home for $19.

We tried to paint all of our pieces BEFORE installing them, since it’s typically easier to paint things when they’re laid out on the ground or leaned up against the wall (without having to worry about edging or cutting in around stuff). Here are the tall side pieces drying.

Once they were dry and the bases were finished, I attached one side piece directly to the wall (into a stud in a few places, to make it crazy secure).

Then I attached a thin brace piece (a strip of 1 x 3″ that I had cut and painted already) along the top into a couple of studs. This piece wouldn’t do anything visually (it would later be hidden) but it gave me a place to attach the second side piece. I screwed right through it into the end of the brace. You’ll note that we’re just relying on the wall to act as the back of the built-ins rather than attaching a plywood panel. We did this mainly for cost and simplicity purposes (we can always paint it a bright color or slide in foam core or cardboard covered backs with fabric or wallpaper to spice things up a little later).

That second side piece would gradually become more secure as I went along, attaching more braces and shelves. But to keep it as square as possible as I went, I temporarily attached a board across the front (which I later popped off). You’ll also note some pieces laying there at the bottom helping to keep things square down by the base of the bookcase.

With the sides in place, I could start building our shelves, so I marked along one side where each of them were going to go.

The night before this Sherry and I had played around a bit with where we wanted them to sit. We decided on doing three shelves (creating four cubbies) because it seemed like the most balanced look to us – not too cramped, not too spacious. We went for permanent shelves, rather than adjustable ones, because we thought they’d look more polished and would accommodate most things since they’re pretty standard sizes.

We typically like our shelves all evenly placed, but we noticed that this made the bottom shelf look a little small for some reason when we taped things out. Then we came across this room and really liked the spacious bottom shelf design, so we gave ours a few extra inches of breathing room too – and here’s where we ended up (the painter’s tape represents the width of each shelf). The depth of all of the shelves is 11″ by the way.

Next it was time to attach the shelf braces. I cut these brace pieces by ripping a 1 x 3″ along my table saw into .75″ wide pieces. This will make more sense in a moment, but basically any thicker than that and the braces would hang below the trim pieces that I’d be adding later to the front of each shelf.

I nailed the braces into the wall and the sides (being sure to keep things level as I went) just to get everything in place. Then to make sure they were secure and could bear weight, I went back and screwed them each into the studs in a few spots.

Here are all three shelves added (Sherry and I had already pre-cut and painted them). I also nailed each shelf down into the brace piece so they won’t pop out or jiggle or anything.

One of the continuous challenges of this build has been that our walls aren’t totally flat/level. So my perfectly cut shelf pieces didn’t necessarily sit perfectly flush in some spots. But it wasn’t anything a little paintable caulk couldn’t fix along those back edges – especially since I had to caulk all the various seams where the braces met the shelf anyway.

Once the caulk had dried, we took this opportunity to paint the back wall and ceiling to match the rest of the built-ins. We considered leaving the wall color as-is, but decided it’d look more like one unit if we painted that to match the shelves. We’re still open to adding a pop of color to the backs down the line, or even some foam core covered with fabric or wallpaper, but we want to load up the shelves to see how they look first (don’t want them to get too busy).

After our wall paint dried, I re-hung the temporary header piece that I had added before (I popped it off so Sherry could paint it). It doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling because the crown will cover that gap (and it was cheaper to buy a 1 x 6″ piece than a 1 x 8″ one). Next I attached the face trim. Since plywood has a rough and unfinished edge, we wanted to polish things off with some 1 x 2″ pieces to frame out the front and make them look chunky. Sherry likes to call this method “Restoration Hardware-ing” something, because it really is the difference between a budget look and a nice substantial and solid one.

Then I could begin to install the crown molding. We’re using the same technique that we used in Clara’s room (upside down baseboard + crown = extra beefy crown). Since I intentionally bought the shorter/cheaper 3.25″ baseboard (knowing that it wouldn’t sit flush to the ceiling, but that the gap would be covered by the crown) you can see how I used a spacer on top of the piece that I’m nailing to make sure I got things in the right spot.

There were a few questions on Monday about white vs. gray molding and whether it should match the built-ins or the rest of the room. We’ve seen it done both ways, but here’s a room where it matches the built-ins, which we liked more. We may change our minds once we see all the trim installed, but we just pictured a white stripe at the top and bottom of them looking funny – kind of like the middles are floating. So we like the idea of grounding them with same-toned baseboards and elongating them by continuing that color on the crown.

Here’s a piece of freshly painted crown just held in place so you can get the idea of what it’ll look like. I’m going to wait to install these pieces ’til I do the whole room, which will hopefully be early next week.

We still need to do some caulking, nail hole filling, and paint touch-ups. But for the purposes of today, we’re declaring them done enough. At least enough for us to start putting the room back together.

Oh and a few folks on Monday wondered if these built-ins were storage overkill, at least for a baby, but they’re just our way of playing the long game in here. Clara’s six-drawer dresser was barely full when she was born, but in a few short years she has grown, along with her clothes, and now that big double dresser is overflowing. So we think these eight drawers will be full in no time.

It would probably make for more blog fodder if we redid everything when he’s 3, but we’re trying to invest time and money into more permanent-but-flexible pieces for this guy, especially since we plan to be here long-term. That’s why we constructed these to eventually accommodate a twin sized bed (lengthwise) or even a full-sized bed (width-wise) when that time comes. So while we love easy & inexpensive Phase 1 updates for rooms that are extra pricey to renovate (like kitchens/bathrooms, especially when we’re not sure what we want to do with their layouts just yet), if we know what we want and have the money on hand for a space like a bedroom (or our recently renovated sunroom), it’s exciting to work towards that end-vision from the get-go.

As for the placement of the crib between these new built-ins, there’s about 15″ of wiggle room on each side, so we’re not concerned about Barnacle being able to reach out and scale the bookcases (we’ll drop the mattress when he’s more mobile, so they’ll be even further out of reach). And if he turns out to be especially long-armed or daredevil-ish, we can always rotate the crib 90° so the gap is even greater.

And now for some random room thoughts from Sherry, after we pushed the crib back in there:

“The white of the crib looks pretty out of place right now, but I think once we add curtains and frames and things on those bookcases it’ll make more sense.”

“Colorrrrrr! Faaaaaabric! Let’s have some fun now that these studly built-ins are in the bag.”

The room’s definitely looking like Beige City right now (not to be confused with Bear City) but we have big plans to layer in lots more as we go – just like we did in Clara’s room, which started with white walls. So stuff like bedding, a mobile, window treatments, books, toys, and some colorful art should definitely add more personality.

As for the total cost of these two built-in bookcases, I spent around $60 per side (which includes the eco plywood for the sides and shelves, the baseboard and quarter-round that I used at the foot of the dressers, the lumber for lifting the dressers up to accommodate those baseboards, and the wood for the shelf braces & face trim).

In summary: I’m beyond psyched to have these checked off of our to-do list. When we first started discussing them I pictured them taking me months to finish, so I’m pleasantly surprised to have them knocked out in about two weeks. All of that priming, painting, staining, sealing, and caulking (shout out to the lady-wife for her help with that) really cuts into your pace sometimes! Speaking of Sherry, I know that she’s happy to have them done so she can unleash her decorating beast in here. Just picture her doing her best Golum impression and creepily whispering things like “criiiiib skiiiiirt” and “boooookcase stufffff.”

Haha, he does, doesn’t he? I love his winter look. As for the backs, we’re totally open to a bold color (or even a fun wallpaper or fabric wrapped around foam core so it’s removable) but I want to fill up the shelves first to make sure it won’t look too busy.

Ok…I’m confused!?! Earlier in post you said that the crown was going to be painted to match the built ins and then at the end Sherry commented on the white crib making more sense with the white crown…so are you just painting the crown piece around the built in the same and the rest of the room will white??? Remember the only stupid questions are the ones not asked!! Lol ;)

Four things:
1. I love those.
2. You were right about the trim colour. I wasn’t a believer, I am now.
3. Too much storage is not a thing.
4. If you’re baby manages to Evil Knievel style swing onto those bookcases, you need to start training him for Cirque de Solei asap.

Oh man, you guys, they are amazing!! Nice work!! I’m so excited you want to paint the crib drawer, we actually have the same crib (expecting our first in May) and we definitely want to paint the drawer. It just doesn’t go with the rest of the room. But we’re still tossing around ideas as to how to best go about it. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Thank you for making every morning of my week that much sweeter! Don’t tell my boss I spend the first half hour of every day checking your blog ;)

The changing pad actually fits on top of these, but we think it might be a tight squeeze when the bun gets bigger than just that squishy baby stage, so we’re thinking about other options for one of those other three still-bare walls. Maybe a cubby-filled console for toy storage and baskets with space on top for our changing pad? Will keep you posted!

We have definitely thought about it! Right now it doesn’t make sense financially (we’d spend far more buying and insuring a truck than we do on $19 rentals, which we might use 6 times a year for a grand total of $120) but we’d love to eventually sell our current car for something slightly larger with a hitch. That way we can get a trailer and have lots of haul power :)

Sorry for the second post – but just had to add. As for the storage? My teenage daughter would go to town with those drawers and shelves for body products alone and my young boys would definitely make a lego showcase on those shelves! Somehow lego can overtake a house in no time flat, haha!

I love a good built in, and I appreciate you sharing your idea of beefing up the crown with upside down base molding. I might have to use that idea on my next project. The bookcases look great, and like everyone else, I can’t wait to see the entire room decorated. I am sure it will look amazing! Wishing you guys a healthy and safe delivery when the baby comes!

Love, love, love! Are you two still planning to do the built ins in your room? Is that a before baby comes item? Are you planning on having those mimic these for continuity or are they going to be totally different? I love the idea of the green door and green drawer. What a lucky little guy.

This has us rethinking them since we don’t want to just clone these in there, but I love the idea of a little window seat in our room with plenty of added storage, so we’ll have to see what we come up with! Will keep you posted. They definitely won’t be before baby though (we’re down to 10 weeks and counting! ahhh!).

These look truly AWESOME! Random question – where will you be changing the Barnacle when upstairs? I know Clara’s dresser was your go to spot – wondering if you are going to put another storage piece in here. Just curious.

Thanks Vanessa! We’re thinking about other options for one of those three still-bare walls in there. Maybe a cubby-filled console for toy storage and baskets with space on top for our changing pad? Will keep you posted!

These are beautiful and totally look like they were already part of the house. I’m just dreaming of all the stuff that could be hidden in so many drawers. For us, it would be the tons of great hand-me-downs we received, which are stuffed in plastic bins in closets.

These are absolutely incredible! I have been reading your blog religiously for years and have repeatedly said to myself “I want to do that in our house!”… but this time I’m BEGGING my husband to head to Ikea this weekend so we can pick up those dressers :) I love how they came out – the color, the stain the base of the bookshelves, and even the drawer pulls! Were those the standard ones that came with the dresser or did you pick those out elsewhere?

Really, really nice. I love how you guys find a way to take things just that one step further that makes everything look so polished and complete. Your website and book are a big inspiration for me as we finally get the gears grinding on our long-postponed remodel. xo

Oh Sherry, I so feel your pain! My baby boy will be here April 8th and I am nesting like a BEAST! Our nursery still has a ways to go before I can decorate and it’s killing me! My husband thinks it’s funny/strange that I’m so concerned when we still have time, but I keep trying to explain to him that when you’re pregnant and nesting decorating is an emergency! Haha.

Thanks Wendy! It looks a little too red for us (like it clashes with the floor the the built-in tops, so we’ll have to see where we end up. I can also sand it down and use the same stain from the top of the built-ins so it all ties together. Will keep you posted!

One of my favorite things you guys have ever done! I seriously wanted you guys to keep the base white….but now I totally see your vision of it being seamless! I guess thats why you’re the blogger and I am the reader! :-) XO

Wow, these look really great! Definitely cabinets that can accommodate at any age. Really love them…excellent work!! Looking forward to seeing Sherry unleash her design prowess in here!!! Hope you and the bump are doing well and feeling fine :O)

They look awesome!! The one thing I was curious about is the colors. I know you showed how they are on the same sample card just slid down a few, but in these pictures they look like the tones are very different. I was just wondering if this is just my monitor or how do they look in person? Do they contrast more in person too? Either way they look so great! Can’t wait to see the rest of the room!

I think subtleties like this are a challenge to capture due to a combination of factors (our photography skills, the natural lighting at the time we take the pics, how monitors show photos, your computer screen’s brightness, etc). In person they definitely look like they’re in the same family, but the walls are more muted (just slightly darker than the white trim and baseboard) and the built-ins look about a shade or two darker than those (they’re really four swatches darker on the swatch card, but in person it looks more subtle than that).

These are AMAZING!!! I can’t believe anyone would think they would be storage overkill! I’ve found that with two kiddos you can NEVER have too much storage! I would love to have these in our home. Nice work!

… don’t mind me, just creepin’ comments….
I almost spat out my milk all over my lappy when I read Kimmy Gibler! OH MAN. So good. I hope your feet don’t stink like hers! I remember the episode where DJ got pulled over because Kimmy was airing her socks! Or the time Jesse hypnotized her… AHH Thanks for the flashback!

Nicely done! I envy the ability to plan out your project to minimize waste, time and dollars. They look very professional and I can imagine they will look great years from now when they’re filled with teenager paraphernalia. One concern, and this is the Mom in me: Barefoot and tools, yikes! (Safety first).

Thanks Carol! We definitely have shoes on when we’re sawing and cutting lumber out in the garage, they just get covered in sawdust so we slip them off at the door (hence the barefoot look upstairs when we’re doing lighter duty things like nailing or screwing).

It looks so good! I’m glad that you painted the floor and crown trim to match the built-ins. You both have such a good eye for design. Can’t wait to see the room come together more and get colorified. (that’s a word, right?) So glad you’re going to use green! Hurry, Sherry, and get that door painted! :)

The bookcases look amazing, can’t wait to see the white crown molding so the crib ties in! And I’m antsy for Sherry’s decorating to blow the lid off the place, as it always does :) Most importantly, I love the Bear City reference. I swear nobody ever remembers Bear City when I bring it up. You guys just get me (Consummate V’s, anyone??) This is why I voted for you guys for my favorite bloggers on Better Homes & Gardens!

Bahah! I haven’t thought about Consummate V’s in at least a month. What’s wrong with me. Also, whenever the alarm is beeping I scream “ten second MacGruber!” (John is now immune to my joke, but I can’t help myself).

We are looking to replace all the old metal blinds in our house and I love the look of bamboo blinds (like the image you have) but I am wondering what they will like like from outside in the front of our house. Have y’all thought about this at all or is this a dumb question? Do you worry about having the same blinds in every room so they look they same from the front?

We have the same blinds throughout our entire second floor (white Home Depot faux wood blinds that we got right after we moved in for privacy and light-blocking) so we figure if we leave those up in each room but then layer in things like wood blinds and curtains in the nursery, it hopefully won’t look that crazy from outside (like you’ll only see the back of the white blinds if they’re half-raised and the bamboo shades will be mounted in front of those). Might look terrible though! Will have to report back!

For the love of Jesus on Midlothian, I love you guys. These are BEYOND beautiful and utterly fantastic. I cannot wait to see them all gussied up. Thanks for sharing your life and talents with us all. <3

Not sure if you guys already picked out some bamboo blinds but I thought I would let you know that JC Penney has some great cordless shades. We actually bought some and loved them but they were a bit too dark for our kitchen… they would be perfect with your color scheme though and the price is really good for the quality. Cordless is much safer for babies, too… and just cool.